Former Aston Villa and Everton star and current BeIN Sports pundit Andy Gray has said that Newcastle United are “desperate” in their hunt for a win as he predicts a tight clash against Brighton this weekend.
The Magpies are still without a win under their belts this season after the opening eight fixtures, with a devilish opening set of games which saw them face five of last season’s top six, with draws against Cardiff and Crystal Palace garnering their two points.
Delivering his prediction for the weekend, Gray said he expects a tight game but for Newcastle to break their duck, with a verdict of 1-0 victory for Rafael Benitez’s, with co-host Richard Keys going for a 2-1 win for the Magpies.
He added on the beIN Sports twitter account: “Newcastle still desperate for a win.”
Take a look at #KeysandGray's predictions for this weekend's @premierleague fixtures ?#PL #beINPL pic.twitter.com/qLjw5YS6on
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) October 19, 2018
Opinion
Gray is not wrong that Newcastle would love to pick up their first win sooner rather than later, but considering their fixture list they cannot be too dissatisfied with their lack of a victory. The only matches that they were expected to get anything from might have been the draws away at Cardiff and Crystal Palace and the home defeat to Leicester, who looked a cut above a lacklustre Magpies side. Rafael Benitez knows that Chris Hughton’s men will be no pushovers and he has to avoid a performance like the one against the Foxes to stand any chance of the three points. That has been Newcastle’s problem in the past – performing admirably against the Premier League’s big boys but sinking back into their shells when a side on level pegging come to town. That has to end, or this season will end in tears for the Toon Army.